Review: The Antidote For Everything

The Antidote For Everything by Kimmery Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book deals with heavy themes. Suicide, discrimination, sexual harassment, and addiction.

Georgia is a urologist in the south. She is fiercely independent, a fact her bosses hate, and her best friend Jonah loves. When one of their careers is on the line Georgia struggles with making the right decisions...

This book while heavy is also a very compelling read. This is the author's second novel. It reads like the author has been writing about these characters for decades. The only thing that slowed me down at all was receiving another book on hold from the library. Kimmery Martin is definitely on my auto request list.

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Okanagan Entertainment

 

The Divya Sutra Plaza Hotel & Conference Center is the new home of the Winter Farmer's Market in Vernon, BC.

If you love getting farm fresh produce and artisanal products year round, it's the place to be. Until the End of October, weather permitting, the Vernon Farmer's Market will be held outdoors at the Kal Tire Place parking lot from 8AM -1PM Monday and Thursday. 

In addition, Saturdays from 9AM-2PM at the Divya Sutra parking lot, have been added to the remaining outdoor season. The Market moves all its days indoors at its new location beginning in November. Check out the Market at their socials on Instagram and on Facebook to keep up with any schedule and vendor announcements.

Also worth mentioning are the markets in other Okanagan communities:

Click here to learn more about all the markets on offer and their dates of operation.

As long you're in town take in a movie or intimate concert at The Towne theater. This venue has been a staple of the downtown core for decades. First as a dance hall, then as a cinema. In its latest iteration, the theater plays host to all manner of events. Upcoming is a concert featuring Darby Mills and PressPlay.

Borderlands: The Movie

 

Cate Blanchett, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jack Black (voicing Claptrap), Kevin Hart, Florian Munteanu (Krieg), and Ariana Greenblatt as Tiny Tina.

If the core cast list hasn't already sold you on this epic video game inspired anti-heroes journey, I don't know what will. Saw This film today in theaters. See it in a theater. It really benefits from the big screen.

The acting is so good that I forget green screens and CGI were involved. Not gonna lie, the start of the movie is rough. So rough I almost bailed on it. But I paid money so I stuck it out. The final scenes were well worth the struggle to get there.

This movie will most likely appeal to any '90's kid that grew up on video games and comics. the biggest mistake was having Jack Black underutilized. It would have been better to let him be him but robotic.

So to recap: first 1/3 to 1/2 is a slog, final scene worth it, needs big screen.

Review: Hope Harbor

Hope Harbor by Irene Hannon
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Hope Harbor is a small town America analogue. Two tortured souls find their way to each other. Add in one kooky taco chef, one town recluse, an ailing cranberry farm, and a charity in need. Together that is the recipe for a redemption arc.

The story itself was pleasant enough and an easy read. it only gets two stars because I am not a fan of certain aspects of the narrative. There is a part in the epilogue which suggests one needs be religious in order to find love, or peace. It also suggests that one won't feel at home unless they are in a relationship or aspiring to be in one. Overall not a bad read.

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Review: George Michael: A Life

George Michael: A Life by James Gavin
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was a beast. Not only does it weigh a fair bit, it deals in heavy subject matter. George Michael was a deeply depressed individual. This book outlines his meteoric rise to the stratosphere of stardom. It also covers every dark spot on his record. From failed music tracks, fake girlfriends, and severe substance abuse to poor sexual decisions.

If you have come to this book looking for a bubblegum good time, you won't find it. If, however, you have come to better understand one of pop's favorite sons, read this book.

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Review: Annie Bot

Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Annie is a femmebot. She comes in three basic presets nanny, cuddle bunny, and Abigail (housekeeper). Doug is human. He owns Annie. A short while ago he decided he wanted an upgrade. Annie is now autodidactic.

She can learn. Doug likes teaching her. But he can't control what she learns....

This book is an interesting look at what it might be like to be in an abusive relationship. It explores the nuance of seeming to be property. It also explores consent. This book will make you squirm, and it should. I only give this two stars because it reads like a first draft, rather than a completed product.

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Review: Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema

Shit, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema by Lindy West
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

That was the least humorous thing I've read that was trying to be funny. Her COVID stress oozed right off the page.

The essay on twilight and Titanic were the highlights of the book. Honestly I feel quite ambivalent about his book. I didn't love it, didn't hate it. It just exists.

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Use of de-aging software

There is a movie coming out soon Featuring Tom hanks. For a good portion of it he will be de-aged. I have seen de-aging used in The Irishman, and in Sullivan's Crossing.

In The Irishman, the failure is the stilted movement from the actors. This movement clearly betrays their age. More than any wrinkles ever could. With Sullivan's Crossing the issue is that I know what the actor really looked like at that age. 

In either case, it fails abysmally. So why does it keep getting used? One answer might be that on balance it is cheaper to use one actor and run them through a wrinkle smoothing algorithm than to pay two or more actors to play the role.

Is it really cheaper though if people notice the lack of quality and it reduces their interest in your project? With The Irishman I have zero desire to ever rewatch it. With Sullivan's Crossing I won't know if I would rewatch it until the series is over.

Royalty payments sustain most actors between projects. It stands to reason that this software may be undercutting young talent in favor of making more money for the studio. Many times I was first introduced to a favorite actor because they played a younger version of someone well known. Personally, I would far rather see young talent on the screen.